Under current law, drug manufacturers are allowed to deduct the cost of advertising expenses from federal taxes. A news release from Shaheen’s office Thursday said those advertising expenses have more than quadrupled over the past two decades, rising from $1.3 billion in 1997 to $6 billion in 2016.

Shaheen said the aggressive advertising also increases demand and allows drug companies to increase prices. She said taxpayers shouldn’t be subsidizing the ads.